is a general term for Japan's '''Six National Histories''' chronicling the mythology and history of Japan from the earliest times to 887.[Kōdansha (1983)] The six histories were written at the imperial court during the 8th and 9th centuries, under order of the Emperors.[Sakamoto (1991)] The basic sources were the court records kept by the Ministry of Central Imperial Affairs, and the biographies of meritorious officials composed in the Ministry of Ceremonial Affairs.[Kōdansha (1983)]
The collection consists of the following texts:
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Nihon Shoki (Chronicle of Japan; also called Nihongi) – 30 volumes covering the mythological period through 697. Completed by Toneri Shinnō in 720.
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Shoku Nihongi (Chronicle of Japan, Continued; also called Shokki) – 40 volumes covering 697 through 791. Completed by Fujiwara no Tsugutada and Sugano no Mamichi in 797.
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Nihon Kōki (Later Chronicle of Japan) – 40 volumes covering 792 through 833. Completed by Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu and Fujiwara no Otsugu in 840.
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Shoku Nihon Kōki (Later Chronicle of Japan, Continued) – 20 volumes covering 833 through 850. Completed by Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, Fujiwara no Yoshimi, Tomo no Yoshio, and Haruzumi no Yoshitada in 869.
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Nihon Montoku Tennō Jitsuroku (Veritable Record of Emperor Montoku of Japan; also called Montoku jitsuroku) – 10 volumes covering 850 through 858. Completed by Fujiwara no Mototsune and Sugawara no Koreyoshi in 879.
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Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku (Veritable Record of Three Generations of of Japan; also called Sandai jitsuroku) – 50 volumes covering 858 through 887. Completed by Fujiwara no Tokihira and Ōkura no Yoshiyuki in 901.
The national histories were discontinued after the Sandai Jitsuroku, with a seventh history—the Shinkokushi—left unfinished. They were followed by the four Mirror books (starting with Ōkagami).
See also
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Ruijū Kokushi, a categorized and chronological history text of the Six National Histories
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Historiography of Japan
Notes
External links
